An eleven race programme is scheduled at Sha Tin on New Year’s Day, Thursday, 1 January 2026, with the Sha Tin Race Cards 1 January laying out a card set to run from 12:30 through to 17:50. The meeting will progress methodically through the handicap grades and will be anchored by a Group Three contest in the latter part of the afternoon.
Competitive fields are expected throughout the fixture, with most races framed to attract maximum numbers. The programme will span sprint, mile and middle-distance contests, providing a balanced opening to the Hong Kong racing calendar.
The opening contest of the day will be the TSUNG PAK LONG HANDICAP at 12:30, run over 1600 metres. This Class 5 event, restricted to horses rated 40–0, will carry a prize of $875,000 and is set to draw a full field of 14 runners, many seeking to establish consistency at the mile.
Sprint racing will follow at 13:00 with the HILLWOOD HANDICAP, contested over 1200 metres. The Class 4 handicap for ratings 60–40 will be worth $1,170,000 and is expected to assemble another competitive group of 14 runners.
At 13:30, attention will return to Class 5 company as the PINE TREE HILL HANDICAP is run over 1200 metres. With $875,000 on offer, the race will provide an opportunity for developing sprinters, with the maximum 14 runners set to line up.
The second division of the Hillwood series will be staged at 14:00. The HILLWOOD HANDICAP will mirror earlier conditions with a 1200 metre trip, a Class 4 rating band of 60–40, and a purse of $1,170,000, again drawing a full field.
Middle distance performers will be tested at 14:30 when the MUI WO HANDICAP is contested over 2000 metres. This Class 4 contest will also be worth $1,170,000 and is likely to feature 14 runners capable of staying the extended trip around the Sha Tin circuit.
The programme will then return to 1400 metres at 15:00 for the LAI CHI CHONG HANDICAP. Restricted to Class 4 horses rated 60–40, the race will carry a purse of $1,170,000 and should produce a closely matched contest.
Mile racing will resume at 15:35 with the LEI MUK SHUE HANDICAP. Another Class 4 event, run over 1600 metres and worth $1,170,000, it will again be framed for a full field of 14 runners.
The feature of the afternoon will arrive at 16:05 with THE CHINESE CLUB CHALLENGE CUP (HANDICAP). The Group Three contest over 1400 metres will offer $4,200,000 in prize money and will be limited to 12 runners, marking a clear step up in quality on the card.
Class 3 racing will take centre stage at 16:40 in the CHA KWO LING HANDICAP, run over 1200 metres. Open to horses rated 80–60, the $1,860,000 sprint is expected to be strongly contested with 14 runners declared.
At 17:15, the CHUK YUEN HANDICAP will be run over 1400 metres. This Class 3 contest, also worth $1,860,000, will provide another solid test for improving runners operating at this level.
The meeting will conclude at 17:50 with a second division of the CHA KWO LING HANDICAP, a 1200 metre Class 3 sprint. With $1,860,000 on offer and a full field expected, the finale will bring the New Year’s Day programme at Sha Tin to a close.
The Sha Tin Race Cards 1 January reflect a well-balanced New Year fixture, combining depth in the handicap divisions with a single Group Three feature. The programme will allow horses to step through distances and grades while providing an early-season platform for established performers and emerging talent alike.
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